County government buildings to open July 13

Charles County government announced in a news release that it will be opening its buildings to the public beginning Monday, July 13. Face masks/ coverings and a temperature check are required when entering county buildings and social distancing will be designated in corridors and waiting areas. These protocols are essential to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus and protect the public and employees’ health.

Residents are strongly encouraged to continue to do business by telephone or online and pay bills using the convenient drop box location. For in-person service options, visit www.CharlesCountyMD. gov to determine the operating status of each department and contact information for scheduling appointments.

Services may be limited and some locations, like recreation centers and senior centers, will remain closed at this time in accordance with state directives. View how the county is working to keep residents safe at youtu.be/qr_FPnk7rI8.

Maryland Buy Local Challenge begins July 18

The annual statewide Buy Local Challenge encourages all Marylanders to support their local farmers and pledge to enjoy at least one Maryland grown product every day during Buy Local Week, July 18 through July 26.

Buy Local Week takes place annually during the last full week of July when locally grown products are plentiful and farmers’ markets, grocery stores and other retail venues around the state are brimming with the bounty of Maryland’s fields and farms.

The new BLC resources are designed to inspire and entice consumer support for

Maryland farms during BLC week and beyond. Promotional highlights kick-off with a weekly release of the “Follow Me To…” mini-video series, a novel compilation of fun snapshot virtual tours of farms and businesses around the state, that showcases a wide range of locally made products including meat, fruits and veggies, wine, beer, distilled spirits, cut flowers, seafood, small grains, dairy, honey and other value-added industries.

The BLC website will also host virtual cookery classes through July; follow along with Annapolis Chef Craig Sewell and learn how to create delicious meals all year long. Other BLC promotional enticements include ‘Post Your Fun Finds Photo’ contests that invite consumers to take a photo of their Buy Local shopping spree to win great prizes, and the launch of a new Buy Local Challenge Celebration Recipe Book with original recipes that celebrate Maryland’s farms and food.

And look out for a free give-away; bright orange BLC shopping bags with clip-on hand sanitizers sporting the ‘Buy Local’ logo, appearing soon at participating Maryland farmers’ markets.

Visit the BLC website at www.buylocalchallenge.com to find the full inventory of

Buy Local Challenge Week highlights and prizes, plus extensive statewide resources including farm guides, farmers’ market directories, downloadable pledge certificates, and the BLC Social Media Kit.

Eat and ‘tweet’ local using the Buy Local Challenge twitter hashtag #buylocalchallenge, and visit the Maryland Buy Local Challenge Facebook page for the latest Buy Local Week happenings around the state.

The Buy Local Challenge is a statewide program created by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and is promoted in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Mattawoman Creek Art Center Opens with New Show

Mattawoman Creek Art Center has announced the reopening of the art gallery on July 10 with a fabulous show you won’t want to miss. Art Impact International returns to MCAC with the timely show, Save Our Oceans, Save Our Seas. An outdoor reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11 (rain date is Sunday, July 12) featuring DJ music with a Caribbean flavor. Light snacks and drinks will be served. Due to current conditions, this reception will take place on the MCAC lawn.

COVID-19 protocol will be observed with face masks and social distancing required. A limited number of guests will be allowed into the gallery at one time to comply with social distancing.

There will be chairs outside where you can sit with your friends while you wait your turn in the gallery.

Those who are not comfortable attending the reception, may come to MCAC on an alternate day to see this show. This show will run from July 10th through August 9. Bring a picnic lunch and take advantage of this lovely setting. Outdoor picnic tables are always available.

Check the MCAC website www.MattawomanArt.org or the MCAC Facebook Page for inclement weather updates. Mattawoman Creek Art Center is located in the General Smallwood State Park in Marbury, and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call 301-743-5159 or email MattawomanArt@aol.com.

State to launches new tax processing system

Despite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) recently announced that the first phase of the agency’s new tax processing system, called Compass, will launch on time on July 6.

The $160 million Compass will upgrade the state’s tax processing system and create a program that will expand revenue-generating projects, provide enhanced reporting functionality and make it easier for taxpayers to view and manage their accounts online, according to a comptroller’s office press release.

The first phase of the system upgrade focuses on alcohol tax collection and license renewals. The process will be more automated and many forms have been condensed and streamlined to save taxpayers time and allow for quicker customer service.

The Compass integrated tax system will continue to be implemented over the next several years, with corporate taxes launching in the first quarter of 2021, followed by business taxes and individual income taxes in 2022.

When fully implemented, some of the benefits will be improved fraud detection and prevention programs, increased ability for taxpayers to manage their accounts via an online portal, and maximized audit, collection, reporting and estimating functionality.

MDOT wins awards for safety campaigns

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has received three “Communicator Awards” for marketing campaigns to ensure safety on our roads and highways, according to an MDOT news release.

MDOT SHA received the “2020 Communicator Award for Excellence” in the category of “Individual-Public Service for Online Video” for a video encouraging young people to put down their phones and not text and drive. The video can be viewed at https://bit. ly/3daRdFQ. It depicts teenagers using their cell phones in preposterous situations – while accepting their diplomas, while performing ballet and practicing football – and asks that they apply lessons learned and not use their cell phones behind the wheels of their cars.

MDOT SHA also won two “2020 Communicator Awards of Distinction,” for its bicycle safety campaign aimed at bicyclists and motorists, and for a campaign to protect workers from being injured by drivers at highway work zones.

A full list of the 2020 winners can be found at www.communicatorawards.com/winners/.

Class registration workshops begin at CSM

Class Registration Workshops. 11 a.m., July 16, 21,

23, 30. Zoom. CSM designed virtual workshops that will walk credit students through how to register for classes identified in their Student Planning account. Participants should already have access to their my.CSMD account, as well as completion of placement test alternatives. RSVPs are required to access Zoom information. Free. Csmd. edu/workshops.